A power control includes a switch, having a first terminal coupled to a power supply, a second terminal coupled to a voltage converter, and a control terminal and a first switch controller coupled to the control terminal of the switch and the chipset, controlling the switch to couple the power supply to the voltage converter according to a turning-on event of the power supply system, wherein the first switch controller comprises a power-on switch. The switch does not couple the power supply to the voltage converter before the turning-on event of the power supply system. The power control circuit is configured such that when the power supply is plugged in, but before the power-on switch is conducting during the turning-on event of the power supply system, the power supply is isolated from the voltage converter and the chipset.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A power control circuit for a power supply system supplying power to a chipset of an electronic device, wherein the power supply system comprises a power supply and a voltage converter, and the voltage converter converts a supply voltage of the power supply into a predetermined voltage and outputs the predetermined voltage to the chipset, comprising: a switch, having a first terminal coupled to the power supply, a second terminal coupled to the voltage converter, and a control terminal; and a first switch controller coupled to the control terminal of the switch and the chipset, controlling the switch to couple the power supply to the voltage converter according to a turning-on event of the power supply system, wherein the first switch controller comprises a power-on switch, wherein the switch does not couple the power supply to the voltage converter before the turning-on event of the power supply system, and wherein the power control circuit is configured such that when the power supply is plugged in but before the power-on switch is conducting during the turning-on event of the power supply system, the power supply is isolated from the voltage converter and the chipset.
A power control circuit manages power to a chipset in an electronic device. The circuit connects a power supply to a voltage converter, which steps down the power supply's voltage to a level usable by the chipset. The circuit includes a switch between the power supply and the voltage converter, controlled by a "power-on" switch (like a button). Before the power-on switch is activated, the power supply is completely isolated from both the voltage converter and the chipset. Activation of the power-on switch triggers the main switch to connect the power supply to the voltage converter, initiating power-up of the system.
2. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the power-on switch is conducting only when the power-on switch is being pressed during the turning-on event of the power supply system.
The power control circuit described above includes a power-on switch that only allows current to flow (is "conducting") when it's physically being pressed or held down during the system's power-on sequence. This requires the user to maintain pressure on the power button during the initial startup phase.
3. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the switch is a P-type transistor switch.
The power control circuit described above utilizes a P-type transistor as the main switch connecting the power supply and voltage converter. The transistor's gate (control terminal) is manipulated to enable or disable the power flow.
4. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the power-on switch has a first terminal coupled to a reference voltage and a second terminal, wherein the first switch controller further comprises: a first diode, having a cathode coupled to the second terminal of the power-on switch and an anode coupled to the control terminal of the switch, wherein after the power-on switch conducts, the switch couples the power supply to the voltage converter.
The power control circuit described above uses a power-on switch that, when pressed, connects to a reference voltage. A diode is connected with its cathode to the power-on switch's output and its anode to the transistor switch's control terminal. Once the power-on switch is pressed, the diode allows current to flow, which triggers the transistor switch to connect the power supply to the voltage converter.
5. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the power control circuit further comprises: a second diode, having a cathode coupled to the second terminal of the power-on switch and an anode coupled to the chipset, and informing the chipset of the turning-on event of the power supply system.
The power control circuit described above also includes a second diode connected with its cathode to the power-on switch's output and its anode to the chipset. This diode signals the chipset when the power-on switch is pressed, indicating the system is turning on.
6. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 5 , wherein a status value is stored in a status register of the chipset to record the turning-on event of the power supply system.
The power control circuit described above, when the power-on event occurs, stores an indicator (a "status value") within a memory location ("status register") inside the chipset. This record confirms the system has been turned on.
7. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the power control circuit further comprises: a second switch controller coupled between the control terminal of the switch and the chipset, controlling the switch to maintain the coupling of the power supply to the voltage converter when the chipset is in operation.
The power control circuit described above contains a secondary control system linked between the main transistor switch's control input and the chipset. This secondary system keeps the power supply connected to the voltage converter as long as the chipset is actively running.
8. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the second switch controller further comprises: a N-type transistor switch, having a first terminal coupled to the control terminal of the switch, a second terminal coupled to a reference voltage, and a control terminal; and a third diode, having a cathode coupled to the control terminal of the N-type transistor switch and an anode coupled to the chipset, wherein, when the chipset is in operation, the chipset continuously outputs a high-voltage-level signal to the N-type transistor switch via the third diode.
The power control circuit described above uses an N-type transistor as part of its secondary control. The N-type transistor's first terminal connects to the control terminal of the main switch; its second terminal connects to a reference voltage. A third diode connects the N-type transistor's control terminal to the chipset. The chipset outputs a continuous high-voltage signal through the diode when running, activating the N-type transistor and keeping the main switch on.
9. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the power control circuit further comprises: a power recovery circuit controlling the switch to couple the power supply to the voltage converter when the chipset does not output the high-voltage-level signal to the N-type transistor switch during a temporary failure of the power supply, wherein after the temporary failure of the power supply ends, the chipset outputs the high-voltage-level signal to the N-type transistor switch via the third diode according to a restart enable status stored in a restart register of the chipset.
The power control circuit from above has a recovery mechanism that maintains power to the voltage converter even if the main power supply momentarily fails and the chipset stops sending the high-voltage signal. After the power failure resolves, the recovery circuit allows the chipset to re-enable the high-voltage signal, based on a stored setting within the chipset ("restart enable status"), restarting the system.
10. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the power recovery circuit comprises: a first capacitor coupled between the first terminal and the control terminal of the switch; a resistor coupled between the first terminal and the control terminal of the switch; and a second capacitor coupled between the control terminal of the switch and the reference voltage.
The power recovery circuit described above contains a first capacitor and resistor connected in parallel between the first terminal (source or drain) and control terminal (gate) of the transistor switch. It also contains a second capacitor between the control terminal of the switch and the reference voltage. This network helps maintain the switch state during brief power interruptions.
11. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the power control circuit further comprises: a fourth diode, having a cathode coupled to the control terminal of the N-type transistor switch and an anode receiving a disable signal, wherein when the disable signal is at a high voltage level, the chipset is turned on according to a wake-on-LAN signal received via a network without the power-on switch being conducting.
In the power control circuit described above, a fourth diode connects to the control terminal of the N-type transistor, receiving a "disable" signal. When this "disable" signal is high, the system can be turned on by a "wake-on-LAN" network signal *without* needing the physical power-on switch to be pressed.
12. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the voltage converter comprises: an output stage circuit coupled to the chipset and the power supply, receiving the supply voltage of the power supply; and a controller coupled to the output stage circuit and the second terminal of the switch, receiving an operation voltage outputted from the power supply via the switch, and controlling the output stage circuit to output the predetermined voltage to the chip set.
The voltage converter, as described in the first power control circuit above, has an output stage connected to both the chipset and the power supply. This output stage receives the raw supply voltage. A controller is connected to the output stage and the transistor switch, receiving power through the switch. This controller then regulates the output stage to deliver the specific voltage needed by the chipset.
13. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the voltage converter comprises: an output stage circuit coupled to the chipset and the second terminal of the switch, receiving the supply voltage of the power supply via the switch; and a controller coupled to the output stage circuit and the power supply, receiving an operation voltage outputted from the power supply, and controlling the output stage circuit to output the predetermined voltage to the chipset.
The voltage converter, as described in the first power control circuit above, contains an output stage circuit connected to the chipset and also to the transistor switch. The switch provides power supply voltage to this stage. A controller is wired to the output stage and *directly* to the main power supply, receiving power independently of the switch. This controller governs the output stage to deliver the required voltage to the chipset.
14. The power control circuit as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary switch having a control terminal coupled to the control terminal of the switch, wherein the voltage converter comprises: an output stage circuit coupled to the chipset and one of the second terminal of the switch and a second terminal of the auxiliary switch, receiving the supply voltage of the power supply via the corresponding one of the switch and the auxiliary switch; and a controller coupled to the output stage circuit and the other one of the second terminal of the switch and the second terminal of the auxiliary switch, receiving an operation voltage outputted from the power supply via the other corresponding one of the switch and the auxiliary switch, and controlling the output stage circuit to output the predetermined voltage to the chipset.
The power control circuit described above includes an auxiliary switch with its control terminal linked to the primary switch's control. The voltage converter's output stage is connected to either the main switch or the auxiliary switch, receiving power from whichever is active. The controller for the voltage converter is connected to the *other* switch, receiving operating power through it. The controller regulates the output stage to supply the correct voltage to the chipset.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
March 4, 2016
July 11, 2017
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